A Day of Discussing Rowland's Washington Condo Dealings

By STACEY STOWE

Published: June 9, 2004

The Connecticut House Select Committee of Inquiry, which will determine whether to recommend the impeachment of Gov. John G. Rowland, heard public testimony yesterday from the following people:

ANDREW MELNICK, right, investigator for the committee and a former Manhattan assistant district attorney.

The issues: He was questioned extensively about the rental and sale of Mr. Rowland's Washington condominium. The condominium, an efficiency unit, was purchased by Mr. Rowland in 1989 for $57,500. The governor rented the condo to Kelly Matthews, a niece of Robert V. Matthews, his friend and a wealthy developer who has received millions in state loans and loan guarantees. Mr. Matthews paid the $1,750 monthly rent, depositing the money into his niece's account; she then wrote rent checks to Mr. Rowland. The rent was about three times that of comparable condos rented between 1995 and 1997. It was later sold to Wayne Pratt, an antiques dealer who said in a deposition that Mr. Matthews arranged for him to buy the condo for $68,500 and the furniture for $5,000 in June 1997. Two years later, Mr. Pratt sold the unit for $37,500. Other condos were selling for $30,000 to $50,000. Mr. Rowland netted $15,178.75 on the sale.

PAM KRISTOF, a Washington real estate professional.

The issues: She testified about the value of the building in which Mr. Rowland owned a condo and the value of the building's units.

The documents: Mr. Rowland's 1996 tax return and a personal financial statement were exhibited during the testimony. The documents raised questions about whether the governor had overspent his $78,000 salary and other income. STACEY STOWE

Photo: Andrew Melnick (Photo by Douglas Healey for The New York Times)